constrictor

American  

[kuhn-strik-ter] / kənˈstrɪk tər /

noun

1. a snake that kills its prey by coiling tightly around it, causing suffocation.

2. Anatomy. a muscle that constricts a hollow part of the body, as the pharynx.

3. a person or thing that constricts.

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constrictor British  

/ kənˈstrɪktə /

noun

1. any of various nonvenomous snakes, such as the pythons, boas, and anaconda, that coil around and squeeze their prey to kill it

2. any muscle that constricts or narrows a canal or passage; sphincter

3. a person or thing that constricts

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Etymology

Origin of constrictor

From New Latin, dating back to 1700–10; see origin at constrict, -tor

Explanation

Snakes that kill their prey by squeezing them to death are known as constrictors. The most well-known of these is the huge boa constrictor. Most constrictors aren't venomous, but instead use their powerful coils to subdue animals, wrapping their bodies in loops around their prey. The process of constriction can take a while, in part because constrictors keep tabs on their victim's heartbeat, waiting for it to slow. Rather than crushing or suffocating prey, these big snakes constrict their blood from flowing — which is the source of their name, from a Latin root meaning "compress."

Example Sentences

"Each test is specific to a different snake species and was designed to detect DNA from the Burmese python, northern African rock python, rainbow boa and boa constrictor, ensuring no cross-detection among species."

From Science Daily • Nov. 22, 2024

Visitors slid down the pole in “The Fire Cat,” slithered into the gullet of the boa constrictor in “Where the Sidewalk Ends” and lounged in a faux bubble bath in “Harry the Dirty Dog.”

From New York Times • Apr. 1, 2024

“Dominant teams,” Cronin said, “they can really snuff you out like a boa constrictor and then you just go get a layup, which we were able to do tonight.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 14, 2024

“They are truly like a boa constrictor, and they do not beat themselves.”

From Seattle Times • Oct. 7, 2023

A six-foot boa constrictor dropped from one of the bottle trees' branches and licked its tongue out at Ella.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton